Combined ash tray, signal, and advertising device



Sept. 28, I954 A. KIIBUS 2,690,552

COMBINED ASH TRAY, SIGNAL, AND ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed April 27, 1953 INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 28, 1954 ztsassz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED ASH TRAY, SIGNAL, AND ADVERTISING DEVICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to ash trays and more particularly to a combined ash tray, signal and advertising device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an ash tray provided with a central display portion in which advertising matter is exhibited, the interior of the display portion being illuminated by a small electric lamp having a switch actuable from the exterior portion.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an ash tray of the above type wherein the light which illuminates the advertising matter will also be utilized to attract the attention of waiters or the like in restaurants and bars.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a combined ash tray, signal and advertising device bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, has a minimum number of parts, is easy to use and efficient in operation.

For other objects and a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection ith the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a combined ash tray, signal and advertising device embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the parts comprising the present invention and Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of one of the parts shown in Fig. 2.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, there is shown a combined ash tray, signal and advertising device, referred to collectively as it, and including a circular metallic ash tray portion H, substantially as illustrated.

The bottom wall I2 of the ash tray portion H is formed with an upwardly-stamped circular portion provided with a plurality of spaced openings it, as shown in Fig. 2.

An intermediate portion i5 is provided and consists of a circular top wall 56 integrally formed with an outwardly flared peripheral side wall il, the bottom edges of side wall it being adapted to fit snugly over the raised portion :3 at the outer periphery thereof, as shown in Fig. 1.

The top wall it is provided with a pluralit spaced openings it lying vertically with the openings id in the ash tray portion H.

An S-shaped bracket i9 is secured to the top u A microswitch 23 is mounted near the periphery of top wall 5 ES and includes the switch proper (see Fig. 3) 24, the push button 25 and a bearing mounting 28 securing the body portion 24 to the top wall it and providing a bearing guide for the push button 25.

One terminal of socket 2| isconnected to a wire 27 which passes downwardly through an opening in the top wall it Where it is connected to one terminal of micro-switch 23, the other terminal of socket 2| being grounded to the bracket It and intermediate portion is. A dry cell battery 2% (Fig. 3) is disposed intermediate ash tray portion 52 and intermediate portion !5, one terminal of battery 25 being connected to the intermediate portion i5 by means of a resilient conductor 25 and the other terminal of battery 28 being connected to one terminal of micro-switch by means of a wire 30. Thus, when the push button 25 is pressed downwardly to close the circuit, the lamp 22 will be illuminated, remaining illuminated until the push button 25 is again pressed downwardly to open the micro-switch 23.

A frustro-pyramidal hollow housing Si is provided and consists of a top wall 32 and window openings 33, substantially as illustrated. The bottom of housing 3! is open and receives therein the clamp l9, socket 2i and lamp 22. Downwardly extending, threaded studs 34 are provided at each corner of housing 3% and are adapted to pass downwardly through the vertically aligned openings l8 and it (Fig. 1) the studs being secured therein by means of nuts 35 abutting the adjacent face of upwardly stamped portion it. Thus, the housing 3!, intermediate portion and ash tray portion H are releasably secured together by means of the nuts 35, as will be obvious. The top wall 32 of housing 3! is provided with a circular opening in which is positioned a translucent hemispherical dome 36, which serves to attract the attention of waiters or waitresses in restaurants and bars when illuminated from within.

Suitable advertising matter 3'! is displayed within each of the window openings Prefcrably this advertising matter will be on translucent or transparent material, permitting the same to be illuminated in a striking manner when the lamp 22 is illuminated.

Preferably the advertising matter 3? will consist of inner and outer panes of glass adapted to be retained behind windows 33, between which will be disposed the advertising matter printer suitable paper.

By removing the nuts 35, the three main parts of the device may be separated (Fig. 2), permit- 3 ting access to the bulb 22 and to battery 28, to be replaced when necessary.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the various parts of the invention may be formed of plastic, including the intermediate portion IS with necessary changes in the wiring.

Thus, the combined ash tray, signal and advertising device 16 when properly mounted upon a table in a restaurant or bar, can be used for an ash tray, utilizing the portion l I, and also to display advertising matter utilizing the housing 3|. When it is desired to attract the waiters attention, the push button 25 will be pressed, illuminating the interior of housing 3| and sphere 36, thereby attracting the waiters attention in a visual manner. This illumination will also draw the users attention to the advertising matter mounted in the windows 33.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus set forth and described the embodiments of my invention, which is claimed is:

In a combined ash tray, signal and advertising device, an ash tray portion having an upwardly stamped circular portion, the latter having a plurality of openings angularly spaced apart from each other, an intermediate portion having a circular top wall extending integrally into an outwardly flared peripheral side wall, the bottom edges of the said side wall fitting snugly over the said upwardly stamped circular portion of the said ash tray portion, the top wall of the said intermediate portion having a plurality of openings identical in number and. vertically aligned with those of the said ash tray portion, the said intermediate portion being adapted to receive a battery, means for securing a socket for an electric bulb to the top wall of the said intermediate portion, the said socket being disposed above the said intermediate portion, a housing open at its bottom and having a top wall and side walls equipped with window openings, theaded studs extending from the said side walls of the housing downwardly equally numbered to that of the said openings in the said ash tray portion and the said intermediate portion respectively, the said studs being adapted to pass downwardly through the said openings of the said intermediate portion and the said ash tray portion and means for retaining the said studs in their position extending through the said openings, so that in the assembled position the said socket with the said electric lamp is disposed within the said housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,149,933 Martzolf Aug. 10, 1915 1,663,030 Underwood Mar. 30, 1928 2,189,934 Bilgart Feb. 13, 1940 2,565,980 Moore Aug. 28, 1951 

